Leopold's Angelfish (Pterophyllum leopoldi)
| Leopold's Angelfish Pterophyllum leopoldi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Leopold's Angelfish |
| Name Lat. | Pterophyllum leopoldi |
| Synonym | Pterophyllum dumerili |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | South America |
| Habitat | Rivers, lakes |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 5.0-7.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | 8-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 5-8 cm |
| Temperature | 24-30 °C |
| Hardness | 1-5 °dH |
| Aquarium | 150 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2"-3.1" |
| Temperature | 75-86 °F |
| Hardness | 18-89 ppm |
| Aquarium | 40 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Sharphead Angelfish are native to Brazil and Guyana, where they are found in the Rio Solimoes river system and the Rio Essequibo watershed. They live in the calm sections of rivers and in lakes, where they prefer to stay in the shore zone with dense vegetation.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have dense planting, with plants partly flooding to the water surface (vallisnerias, sword plants, etc.), stones and roots as hiding places, and plenty of free swimming space. A dark substrate, some subdued light (floating plants) and soft, slightly acidic water is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, mosquito larvae and artemia (live or frozen). In addition, they need regular vegetable food, such as algae leaves, pureed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food with vegetable ingredients (e.g. spirulina, kelp)
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only as much should be fed as is eaten within a few minutes. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms
Behaviour and compatibility
At least 5 Sharpnose Angelfish should be kept together. They are very peaceful fish and can be socialized well with other calm, slightly larger fish. Small fish are considered food. They should not be kept together with fin twitching fish, such as Sumatran barbs or blood tetras. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar water condition and water temperature requirements should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
Outside the spawning season the sexes are hardly distinguishable. With some experience, the sexes can be determined during mating by the shape of the genital papilla, which is pointed in the male and round in the female.
Reproduction and breeding
They are open breeders. The female usually spawns on hard plant leaves. The fry hatch after about 48 hours and swim freely after 3-5 days. Together, the parents caringly nurture and guard the clutch and care for their offspring for a long time.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
They are the smallest species of sailfin, at about 12 cm tall, and can be easily distinguished from other sailfin species by their black spot under the dorsal fin base.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF